29/07/2014 Ski into Christmas and celebrate the festive season on the slopes as Eurostar opens ticket sale

29 Jul 2014

Ski fans looking to travel by rail this Christmas can rejoice as Eurostar will be opening ticket sales for their popular ski services on 31 July 20141. The high-speed passenger rail service linking the UK with mainland Europe, is treating customers to an early Christmas gift, offering them the chance to book their holiday five months in advance.

Travellers wishing for a ski holiday this winter can travel on Eurostar’s day and night services direct to the French Alps with easy access to top resorts including Courchevel, Meribel and Aime-la-Plagne2 all within an hour. The 2014/2015 seasonal ski services will run weekly from 19 December 2014 until 11 April 2015 and skiers looking to hit the slopes can purchase return fares from £149. The best news is that skis and boards travel for free.

Eurostar runs a Friday overnight service which arrives in the French Alps early on a Saturday morning with the return leg departing late on a Saturday evening - perfect for winter sports enthusiasts looking to maximise their time on the slopes. Alternatively, whilst on board one of the Saturday daytime services, passengers can sit back, relax, and enjoy stunning views of the French countryside before they arrive rested and ready to ski.

For those looking to experience the snow in the Swiss Alps this winter, keep an eye out for the new Eurostar connecting service to Geneva via Lille commencing on 14 December3. Tickets will be released in October this year, offering travelers another convenient way to travel to some of the most popular ski resorts in Switzerland.

If skiing is not on the agenda, a short journey on Eurostar to Germany, Belgium or France to see the traditional Christmas Markets is sure to get travelers in the festive spirit. With an array of breathtaking markets in some of the most beautiful European cities, this charming experience is bound to create magical memories.

To make the most of the holiday season travelers can book their trip to these Winter Wonderlands from 29 July on Eurostar.com4. With ticket services open several months in advance, customers can start the festive season early and gear up for a cracking Christmas.

Tickets are available from www.eurostar.com by calling 03448 224 777, at Eurostar stations or from travel agents. Please note that from the 1st August, Eurostar is changing the booking number permanently to 03432 186 186.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

Sales open at 06:30am on 31 July at Eurostar.com and then at 08:00am at the Eurostar contact centre

Travel to Aime-la-Plagne is for outbound passengers only. For inbound travel back to London passengers need to board at Bourg St Maurice

The new service to Geneva will be a Eurostar to Lille and then, after a simple change, a TGV Lyria service to Geneva

Refers to non-ski services

Timetable

The current timetables are shown below; any times shown in red may be subject to alteration.

2. Eurostar was established in 1994 as a partnership between three railway companies: SNCF, SNCB and LCR (London and Continental Railways). On 1 September 2010, Eurostar became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR.

3. The current Eurostar train was first introduced into service in 1994 carrying 750 passengers and operating at speeds of up to 300kph. Since then, the fleet of 28 trains has carried more than 130 million passengers between London and the Continent. Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet. The new e320 will carry around 900 passengers at speeds of up to 320kph.

4. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe’s leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.

Eurostar International Limited is an Appointed Representative of AWP Assistance UK Limited (trading as Allianz Global Assistance) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). AWP Assistance UK Limited FCA registration number is 311909. FCA authorisation can be checked on the FCA register at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/